Hello-

New to the forum, and while this question has probably been asked before, I can't seem to find the answer. I'm in the process of restoring a 1965 Mustang convertible which I think may be a 1964 1/2, which I'm mainly basing on the fact that the heater switch "off" position is in the center position as opposed to the left. However, prior to me buying the car in the early 1980s, it had gone through one or more bad restoration attempts, with Mustang parts added from several different years (1966 grill, 289 added, etc.), so I'm getting mixed signals as to if the car is a 64 1/2 or 65. Can I use the VIN number to tell the car's date of manufacture? Thanks.

Rich

 

Yes you can.
March-August 17th- 1964 1/2
August 17th- on will be a 65.
There are a lot of other differences, and if you like, I could lay those differences on you.

 

Heater switch is not a good indicator, as the center off was used until mid-65.

The VIN is actually the BEST, 100% surefire way, using the "250/125/0 rule":

Look at the 2nd digit - that's the plant code. Then look at the last 6 numbers, that's your consecutive number.

For a plant code of "F" (Dearborn), anything with a consecutive # below 250000 is a 64-1/2, anything above is a 65.

For a plant code of "R" (San Jose), anything with a consecutive # below 125000 is a 64-1/2, anything above is a 65.

For a plant code of "T" (Metuchen), they were ALL 65's, as they didn't begin production until later in the year.

 

Here are a bunch of other differences.
http://www.vintage-mustang.com/topic...64-65diff.html

 

Thanks everyone. Its a 65, sigh............................

Rich

 

Differences with PEEKTURES!

 

Good find Bob.....I'll add that to the FAQ.

 

One more thig...like you don't have enough. The hood at the "gills" is beveled or angled. The only year like that. I would be jast as happy with a 65. ...now, did you buy it as a 64-1/2 or a 65, or just an old stang??? And, did you get what you paid for. If yes is the answer, I would not worry. Unless it's just a preference and not a monetary issue.

 

why, as enthusiets, do you keep up this myth, there is no such thing as a 1964 1/2 Mustang, all VIN's state that it is a 65, all Mustang specific part numbers start in 1965, even the Ford Museum call the very first Mustang as a 1965, and who are we to argue with Ford? I will not argue that there are huge differences between the Early 1965 Mustang and the Late 1965 Mustang, just like the change in quarter panels during the 1968 Mustang production, where the cars built before Febuary 15, 1968 used an inserted quater marker and those made later used a Cougar quarter marker, but nobody ever says that there are a 1968 1/2.....

 

That's because the 68's didn't have any huge difference's as compared to the myriad of differernces between the March 64 to the August 17 differences to the 65 which was produced after the August 17 re-tooling time. In 1968, Ford didn't have to re-tool to make those slight differences. But, in 1964, they did have to re-tool because of the vast differences. Why do you keep questioning that, because it is an accepted fact that there are a bunch of differences between the 64 1/2 and the 65? That is all documented proof.